Ideal Free Distribution

Well, Ideal Free Distribution has already received a substantial write-up over at Optical Atlas, but I wanted to be sure and share them with C&T readers who don't regularly read OA. In case you're wondering how they wound up being covered on an Elephant 6 blog, it's primarily because they've been working with Robert Schneider (of Apples/Marbles/Ulysses/Orchestre Fantastique) on their forthcoming release. Their sound is what you might expect of an artist working in conjunction with Mr. Schneider -- poppy, polished, and infectious. It's very much a throwback to the psychedelic pop of the mid-to-late '60s, and I very much like what I've heard to date. Then again, I've spent the past three days listening to nothing but The Velvet Underground and Masters of the Hemisphere, so this fit in pretty well.

Ideal Free Distribution is based out of Lexington, Kentucky, with the band comprised of 8 full-time members. However, the core trio of the band has been playing together in some form for nearly a decade. They've spent a long while enhancing their songwriting and performing skills, and it seems to have paid off handsomely. You can sample a couple tracks here:

Ideal Free Distribution - Apples and Oranges
Ideal Free Distribution - Saturday Drive

Unfortunately, the full album is not scheduled for release until this fall. It will reportedly be released by Empyrean Records. I'll definitely keep an eye out for this release.

Atlanta/Athens locals should note that Ideal Free Distribution is scheduled to open for Apples in Stereo at this year's Athens Popfest. I'm not going to wish the summer go by quickly, but that'll be a real treat this August. Can't wait for Happy Happy Birthday to Me to announce the full lineup! I believe that's supposed to happen on about April 15.

You can learn more and hear 3 additional tracks on their MySpace page.